Best protein powder brands?

I swear, these supplement companies are constantly feeding us garbage just to move more inventory—like telling you that you need to chug protein even on rest days, or claiming you need three shakes a day just to see results...

So, I’ve got two things I need to clear up:

Should I actually be sipping on protein shakes when I'm not hitting the gym?

And obviously, I'm having one right after my workout, but for that second serving, is it better to knock it down in the morning or just have it before I hit the hay?

Well, yeah... most people are hitting it about three times a day. We're talking whey here, presumably. So, if you're doing aquatic exercises, you should aim to get in roughly 30 grams of protein. You could also take some before bed, but you'll need to slow down the absorption rate.

Well, maybe have some milk before hitting the sack

But what about the days when I'm not even training?

mellowsailor11 said:well, I usually take it with milk right before hitting the sack.

what about my off days?

Look, at the end of the day, this is just a supplement... you should drink as much as your budget allows. The absolute priority is slamming it down with some glucose immediately after your workout; beyond that, anything extra you can fit in is a bonus, provided you aren't overdoing it.

If you want my advice, here’s how I’d handle it: have a serving in the morning with milk, and another one at night with milk—regardless of whether you actually hit the gym or not. Then, on your training days, just mix it with water and glucose once you're finished with your session.

Why on earth would you stick to protein shakes and milk right before hitting the hay? Instead, try swapping those out for some low-fat cottage cheese late in the evening.

silverpuma90 said:Try swapping out your protein shakes and milk for some low-fat cottage cheese right before you hit the sack at night.

Solid advice.🙂

thanks guys

so, can I eat vegan cheese late at night and still hit my protein goals?

mellowsailor11 said:thanks guys

but can I eat vegan cheese at night and still take my protein shake?

Yeah, why the hell not?

Protein shakes aren't actually more expensive than regular food. For instance—getting about 20g of protein from 6 egg whites will cost you roughly $2.75, whereas a scoop of whey is usually even cheaper. Personally, I find them to be an excellent meal replacement when I'm short on time—I just mix casein and whey in a 2:1 ratio and pair it with some whole grain toast (if I need carbs) or some almonds and walnuts (if I'm going for fats).

Charles Morales10 said:Honestly, protein shakes aren't even more expensive than actual food when you break it down. For example, if you grab 6 egg whites to get about 20g of protein, you're looking at roughly $2.75, whereas a scoop of whey actually ends up being a bit cheaper per serving. Personally, I love using them as a quick meal replacement when my schedule gets too hectic to sit down for a real meal; I just mix casein and whey in a 2:1 ratio and pair it with some whole grain toast if I need carbs, or maybe some almonds or walnuts if I'm going for a fat-heavy macro split.

If you pick up a 5lb tub of decent mid-range whey, that’s about $167... roughly 72 servings... so go ahead and tell me that isn't a bargain.

Look, you still need to eat real food, not just live on whey powder...

Bryan Fowler4 said:A 5lb tub of decent whey is about $167 ... roughly 72 servings... so I wouldn't call that expensive.

The point is, you need real food—not just whey...

So, you're saying whey and casein aren't "real food"?
Look, I’m not saying you shouldn't eat whole foods—obviously you should—but sometimes life happens and you just don't have the time to sit down for a full meal. For me, a whey and casein combo is the perfect quick fix.

Where can I actually pick up some casein around here? And honestly, what’s the deal with the difference between mixing casein with whey versus just sticking to plain old whey?

mellowsailor11 said:I've heard that manufacturers often lie about protein supplements just to get people to go through them faster—for instance, claiming you need to drink them even on non-training days, or suggesting three servings a day...

I now have two questions:

Should I be drinking protein on my rest days?

And on training days, of course I take it after working out, but would it be better to have that second serving in the morning or right before bed?

I see you have already received quite a few responses, yet you haven't specified your body type (Ectomorph, Mesomorph...), nor your diet, your training routine, or even your specific goals (definition vs. mass)... there is no such thing as a universal answer to your question. When you are training, you should absolutely have a whey plus glucose shake following your session. As for myself, I simply "eat" one scoop of whey mixed with cornflakes in the morning and another one after my workout, which is plenty for me. Naturally, I still consume regular meals throughout the rest of the day consisting of Protein+Meat or Protein+Carbs—most often tuna, cottage cheese, chicken, or rice...
Whey can certainly substitute for a couple of meals, but you still have to eat real, solid food; what do you imagine would happen if you spent the entire day sipping whey and perhaps a shake made of cottage cheese and yogurt? If you have ever watched a movie where someone makes a complete mess of a bathroom, then you likely have a vague idea of the consequences...😁

Furthermore, personally, I would rather avoid drinking milk before sleep; instead, I'd suggest making a shake with cottage cheese and maybe some yogurt, as you don't actually need whey before heading to bed.

Charles Morales10 said:So, you're saying whey and casein aren't "real food"?
Look, I’m not sitting here claiming you shouldn't eat whole foods—of course you should, obviously—but sometimes life just happens and you don't have the luxury of sitting down for a full, cooked meal. In those moments, mixing whey and casein is, in my opinion, the perfect setup for a quick nutritional fix.

No, they really aren't real food...
The body needs more than just a hit of protein; it needs all those other essential minerals and vitamins that you actually get from eating actual groceries.

Charles Morales10 said:So, you're saying whey and casein aren't "real food"?
Look, I'm not sitting here claiming you shouldn't eat whole foods—of course you should, obviously—but sometimes life just happens and you don't have the luxury of sitting down for a massive, cooked meal. In my book, mixing whey and casein is the perfect setup for a quick fix when you're on the move.

No, they really aren't real food...
Your body needs a full spectrum of minerals and vitamins found in actual groceries, not just a concentrated hit of protein...

Look, my main goal right now is putting on some serious mass—I still need to pack on at least another 5 or 6 pounds.
My diet consists of about 5 meals a day (fish, red meat, chicken, sandwiches, you name it...)

Since I don't roll out of bed until 10:00 AM and I'm hitting the gym by 11:00, should I be slamming a protein shake immediately after I wake up?
As for my build, I’ve got an athletic physique—I don't know how else to describe it, just kind of mid-range.

Bryan Fowler4 said:No, they aren't "real" food...
The body needs all those other minerals and vitamins found in whole foods—not just protein...

Look, nobody suggested living exclusively on protein shakes—nor did anyone suggest eating nothing but meat, eggs, or any single thing. You always need a balanced combination.

mellowsailor11 said:My goal is mass; I still need to gain about 7 pounds.
My diet consists of 5 meals a day (fish, red and white meat, sandwiches, etc.).

Since I wake up at 10:00 AM and head to the gym at 11:00 AM, should I drink protein right when I wake up?
My body type is athletic—I don't know how else to put it.

Exactly 7 pounds?🤣 To achieve that, you don't necessarily need a "bulking" phase; rather, focus on clean eating and disciplined training, and those pounds will come naturally.

What are you actually eating before the gym? If you're having something like oatmeal in the morning, as I often do, feel free to toss in a scoop of whey. However, if you're operating on a tight budget, it might be wiser to save that supplement for your post-workout window.🙂

As for your body type, I suggest searching online to read up on it; it could provide significant clarity for your future planning.
Here is a starting point.

fitness.com said:The human physique can be categorized according to the American psychologist Sheldon into three fundamental somatotypes:

Ectomorph
* Mesomorph
* Endomorph

Why does this matter? Because we aren't all built the same way. Depending on which category you fall into, much will vary regarding your nutrition and training protocols. One must not overlook genetics! Furthermore, the vast majority of people do not belong strictly to a single type, but rather embody two types where one is dominant. Therefore, determining your specific body type is vital. Let us proceed in order:

Ectomorph - a challenging constitution for bodybuilding—lean, low body fat, long limbs, narrow shoulders, and a light bone structure. They possess a very high metabolism. It is difficult for them to gain weight even if they consume pizza, burgers, or other junk food. Conversely, gaining muscle mass is equally difficult and lost just as quickly. They are generally characterized by high endurance. The primary objective is to force muscle cells to become sensitive to glycogen and insulin.

Nutrition: Should consist of a high carbohydrate intake up to 50%, 30% protein, and approximately 20% fat. Eat 4-5 large meals a day—no more than that.

Mesomorph —possessing magnificent genetic potential. Naturally features sturdy bone structure, wide shoulders, and a broad chest; low body fat and a fast metabolism that builds muscle and burns fat efficiently.

Nutrition: High-protein, with roughly 40% carbohydrates, 40% protein, and 20% fat (depending on the current training phase). Consume 6-8 meals daily.

Endomorph — Endomorph. Heavy bones, wide hips, higher body fat. Metabolism is slow, making them prone to weight gain, yet they hold an advantage over the ectomorph: they can build quality muscle relatively quickly!

Nutrition: Speed up the metabolism by consuming more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day. Pay close attention to caloric intake and food quality. Carbohydrates should be 30%, fats up to 15%, with the remainder being protein. Incorporate plenty of fresh vegetables high in fiber. By limiting carbohydrates, one should aim to encourage the body to utilize fat stores for fuel. Eat 6-8 meals a day.

As you can see, some will reach their goals faster than others, but that is by no means a reason to abandon bodybuilding. On the contrary, professional bodybuilders represent all body types—so, one simply needs patience...

So, before I hit the gym, I’m usually munching on some bacon, or maybe eggs, or tuna, or just a random ham sandwich—whatever's lying around. My body type is basically a Mesomorph with some Ectomorph vibes mixed in... so, what's the move here? What am I supposed to do now? 😁

Fine, just send the funds to the checking account I’ll provide via DM once you're ready to pay for the intel.🙂

In the interim, I suggest you start reading up on the subject; getting those three pounds 🤣 off might seem simple, but it isn't quite that effortless. Head down to a local Gold's Gym and find a trainer there who can actually show you how to execute the movements correctly, and have them design a nutritional plan for you immediately—just be clear about your specific goals.
If you happen to know someone who understands the science behind this, let them guide you through the initial stages regarding both training and diet. The beginning is undoubtedly the most grueling part, but once you establish a rhythm, it ceases to be an issue. Just whatever you do, don't throw in the towel after two months, and don't let someone else build a meal plan only for you to ignore it and go back to your old habits.

Look, we aren't talking about science fiction here; if you stick to a disciplined diet and a solid training regimen, two or three months is more than enough to achieve what you're aiming for. You'll likely see some quick wins early on, which is precisely why I'm insisting you educate yourself first. It is far better to "waste" a month simply absorbing information rather than squandering your time on ineffective efforts.Everything you need is located right here. A word of advice: before you start posting and peppering us with questions, take a moment to read through the forum archives and the FAQ.🙂
Best of luck.